Illinois Hoops Recruiting Thread (January-March 2016)

[Sleepy Floyd]

Well I'd say think of Happ of Wiscy , or Anunobe of Indiana, Levert .I could comeup with more at Michigan, Players like that that weren't household names are a few.

Committed as a sophomore so no one really recruited him. Levert committed to Groce early then he committed to Michigan after a coaching change not the same at all. Find me someone with no offers going into their Sr. Year who played at the lowest division in their state.

 

[IlliniDent]

Yep, Ryan has found some good players who were under ranked. But he also has had more than his share of 4 and 5 star players.

He also is one of the best at redshirting players that need it. If we could have redshirted Mav and one (or both) of DJW or AJ they would all have a much higher upside by the time they were juniors/seniors. Players just have so much more time to develop and learn a system by redshirting and Ryan was great with this, especially for big men.

 

[sdillini]

Yep, Ryan has found some good players who were under ranked. But he also has had more than his share of 4 and 5 star players.

I would quibble with "more than his share". He's had some. He won year after year, mostly with players I'd never heard of before they played for him. His most recent teams had the most high rated players that he had, for sure, but he did it for a long time before that.

 

[BWilson25]

A lot more optimism here regarding Tilmon and Goodwin than on HQ and scout that's for sure!

 

[Gomers Pile]

Perhaps. It is possible that he's the next Ron Baker. The odds are heavily against it, though. I just find the subset of board members who think themselves better talent evaluators than college coaches to be amusing. The people who insist that Chastain has more athleticism than anyone on Illinois' current roster are particularly ludicrous.

Who on Illinois team is more athletic ? Nunn ? Maybe . Who else?

 

[illinitiger]

I don't know if he can play at a high level or not , but talented players are missed all the time. The big schools are all busy fighting for the same high profile guys ( only one school gets the prize). I admire the coaches able to identify guys who can play , regardless of ranking (hello Bo Ryan).

Good input...sometimes it pays to take the road less traveled.

 

[ILHoff]

Perhaps. It is possible that he's the next Ron Baker. The odds are heavily against it, though. I just find the subset of board members who think themselves better talent evaluators than college coaches to be amusing. The people who insist that Chastain has more athleticism than anyone on Illinois' current roster are particularly ludicrous.

I'm not arguing whether or not the staff should offer Chastain, because I don't know enough about him. Just curious how many times you have seen him play and what you think of his overall game?

 

[TownieMatt]

I know absolutely nothing about Chastain (which I think puts me in the majority). Any sense if he would accept an preferred walk-on offer from us? Seems like a good situation if he can pay his own way, with a shot to earn a scholarship down the road.

 

[Gomers Pile]

I'm not arguing whether or not the staff should offer Chastain, because I don't know enough about him. Just curious how many times you have seen him play and what you think of his overall game?

Like most on here Iv'e only seen highlights , but watch them for yourself then tell me who Illinois has that is that athletic . Besides defense , ballhandling and such can be taught . But better yet watch the highlights and be honest with yourself when comparing him to the current players . I could not care less whether he went to a 4A , 5A or no A school , just be your own judge.

 

[IlliniDent]

I don't know if he can play at a high level or not , but talented players are missed all the time. The big schools are all busy fighting for the same high profile guys ( only one school gets the prize). I admire the coaches able to identify guys who can play , regardless of ranking (hello Bo Ryan).

Yea but he is at a position that we don't need unless its for a sure fire talent. That is the problem. If he was a PG or C then by all means. However, do you really see the 2 or 3 becoming open for him to get playing time? If you think he can play the 4 then do you think he is different enough from Black (if he is on the team) or DJW? Everyone here complains about us not having enough depth at PG and C/PF and we are arguing that with our extra scholarship that we shouldn't try to either address one of those needs to add depth or to grab the best possible player but instead get a player that will have 5 or 6 guys in front of him for the next few years? IDK hard to say its worth it right now.

 

[Gomers Pile]

Yea but he is at a position that we don't need unless its for a sure fire talent. That is the problem. If he was a PG or C then by all means. However, do you really see the 2 or 3 becoming open for him to get playing time? If you think he can play the 4 then do you think he is different enough from Black (if he is on the team) or DJW? Everyone here complains about us not having enough depth at PG and C/PF and we are arguing that with our extra scholarship that we shouldn't try to either address one of those needs to add depth or to grab the best possible player but instead get a player that will have 5 or 6 guys in front of him for the next few years? IDK hard to say its worth it right now.

Not arguing with you but , we don't know who will be on the team next year . Will Nunn be allowed to come back ? Could someone transfer ? Yes , but it won't be Mav or Finke . It won't be TJL or Abrams . So that leaves the three spot open for debate . Waaaay too many things can happen between now and next year . But I wasn't arguing that point , rather the athleticism.

 

[ILHoff]

Like most on here Iv'e only seen highlights , but watch them for yourself then tell me who Illinois has that is that athletic . Besides defense , ballhandling and such can be taught . But better yet watch the highlights and be honest with yourself when comparing him to the current players . I could not care less whether he went to a 4A , 5A or no A school , just be your own judge.

My question wasn't for you, but since you're asking I have watched his highlights. Anyone stating factually that we need to offer someone or not offer someone a scholarship should have at least seen the person play. His leaping ability is apparent from his highlights and I love the high release on his shot, but neither you nor I can draw too many conclusions about someone we've never seen play a full game. Yes, he can jump high.

 

[Sizzler22]

Perhaps. It is possible that he's the next Ron Baker. The odds are heavily against it, though. I just find the subset of board members who think themselves better talent evaluators than college coaches to be amusing. The people who insist that Chastain has more athleticism than anyone on Illinois' current roster are particularly ludicrous.

Who on Illinois team is more athletic ? Nunn ? Maybe . Who else?

DJ Williams is the most athletic kid on the team.

 

[Shaign]

I've only seen the highlites of Chastain. What I love is the way he attacks the rim. Is it because he's far more athletic than his competition? Maybe we don't need another wing but maybe if nothing else falls in our lap you take him, redshirt and see what you have in a year. I'm just tired of us playing below the rim. Imagine Lucas throwing oops to this guy in transition.

 

[Bomb Squad 217]

DJ Williams is the most athletic kid on the team.

Correct. Followed by Aj then Nunn. And Chastain blows them out of the water. But as stated, he's at a position we don't need. If we were short on wings I'd be all about it. I like what someone else posted about him being a preferred walk on. That would be a great thing. But doesnt he have an offer from Utah and some mid majors? So walk on seems unlikely.

 

[Monte Carlo]

The infatuation Illini fans have with Chastain is really interesting. This kid does not have a single offer from a power 5 team in the Midwest. His offer list is very telling.

Neither did Fred Van Vleet, but I bet you would take him in a hearbeat.

 

[Foggy Notion]

Correct. Followed by Aj then Nunn. And Chastain blows them out of the water. But as stated, he's at a position we don't need. If we were short on wings I'd be all about it. I like what someone else posted about him being a preferred walk on. That would be a great thing. But doesnt he have an offer from Utah and some mid majors? So walk on seems unlikely.

Athleticism is far less important than basketball ability.

 

[Bomb Squad 217]

Athleticism is far less important than basketball ability.

I wouldn't say I disagree but athleticism can overcome or make up for lack of basketball ability.

 

[Foggy Notion]

I wouldn't say I disagree but athleticism can overcome or make up for lack of basketball ability.

Maybe, sometimes, to some extent, but it is a gamble, especially when the athletic feats occur against weak competition. I've seen too many great athletes come and go on college teams and the NBA without making an impact. Who would you rather have, Crandall Head or Malcolm Hill? Brian Randle or Deron Williams? Devin Langford or Michael Finke? Athleticism is an advantage if the skill level is comparable. Even in the NBA, players like Steph Curry and Draymond Green are showing that skill trumps athleticism.

 

[217sports]

Neither did Fred Van Vleet, but I bet you would take him in a hearbeat.

Outlier. There have been plenty more who haven't panned out than those who have.

 

[217sports]

I wouldn't say I disagree but athleticism can overcome or make up for lack of basketball ability.

Bertrand says hello.

 

[IlliniCaboose]

Calvin Brock as well.

 

[Gomers Pile]

Calvin Brock as well.

Kenny Battle

 

[PostersLastStand]

Coach Hubie Brown always preached (during the NBA draft) pick Athleticism and Height, you can't teach those.

 

[AnticipatedSerendipity]

I told my girlfriend that there are rumors there could be some good news for Illini basketball next week, her response: "Yeah yeah yeah and then it will be followed up by another arrest"